Queensland police cop a three-month ban on holidays due to four day G20 summit

QUEENSLAND Police have been banned from taking leave for three months because of G20-related events spanning just four days.

An email circulated to officers statewide has informed them of the "leave embargo" from September 1 to November 30.

The G20 Leaders Summit will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 15 and 16.

Cairns will host the Finance Ministers' Meeting on September 20 and 21.

Police yesterday expressed surprise and frustration that the non-leave period was so long, given the summit was being held over one weekend.

But a Queensland Police Service spokesman said officers had been aware of the embargo since March last year.

"A considerable amount of planning and training is required to ensure the delivery of safe and secure G20 events in Queensland," the spokesman said.

"Hosting the Finance Ministers' Meeting in Cairns in September as well as the Leaders' Summit in Brisbane in November will require a considerable amount of resources.

"In order to provide an effective policing presence for the G20 events in Queensland and continue to manage the policing requirements of the whole state, it has been decided to enforce a leave embargo for this duration."

Around 3500 Queensland Police will be involved in providing security for the G20 events, along with 1500 officers from interstate and New Zealand.

The huge contingent will leave around 8000 officers to police the rest of the State.

Long service leave, leave without pay and career break leave would be included in the embargo as well as all recreation leave, the spokesman said.

"Officers are still able to apply for leave during the nominated period," he said.

"If the leave is supported by the relevant Assistant Commissioner, this will be considered at Deputy Commissioner level."

The G20 Leaders Summit is considered the biggest security event ever held in Queensland with 28 world leaders expected to attend along with 4000 support staff, and 3000 media.

A public holiday has been declared for the Friday before the summit, to minimise disruption caused by road blocks for the leaders' motorcades.

Organisers are also expected to use river transport and helicopters for the leaders to carry them from Brisbane Airport to their assigned hotels in the City and at Southbank.

The QPS spokesman said the sort of training being undertaken by officers would "enhance their skills and ability to deliver other major events, such as the Commonwealth Games".